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Lyrics to Manifesto

Lyrics to the song Manifesto as recorded by Roxy Music.

(Ferry/Manzanera)

I am for a life around the corner
That takes you by surprise
That comes, leaves, all you need
And more besides
I am for a life and time by numbers
Blast in fast 'n' low
Add 'em up, account for luck
You never know
I am into friendship and plain sailing
Through frenzied ports o' call
Oh shake the hand to beat the band
With love is all
Or nothing to the man who wants tomorrow
There's one in every town
A crazy guy, he'd rather die
Than be tied down

I am for the man who drives the hammer
To rock you till the grave
His power drill
Shocks a million miles away
I am for the revolution's coming
I don't know where she's been
For those who dare because it's there
I know I've seen

Now and then I've suffered imperfection
Studied marble flaws
And faces drawn pale and worn
By many tears

I am that I am from out of nowhere
To fight without a cause
Roots strain against the grain
With brute force
Oh you'd better
Hold out when you're in doubt
Question what you see
And when you find an answer
Bring it home to me


 

Manifesto

Album Track

This song was inspired by a poem by Claes Oldenberg. The song opened the live shows during the Manifesto tour in 1979 but hasn't been played live since.

The song was re-recorded and used as the b-side to Over You in 1980.


I Am For An Art by Claes Oldenberg

I am for an art that is political-erotical-mystical, that does something other than sit on its ass in a museum.

I am for an art that grows up not knowing it is art at all, an art given the chance of having a starting point of zero.

I am for an art that embroils itself with the everyday crap & still comes out on top.

I am for an art that imitates the human, that is comic, if necessary, or violent, or whatever is necessary.

I am for all art that takes its form from the lines of life itself, that twists and extends and accumulates and spits and drips, and is heavy and coarse and blunt and sweet and stupid as life itself.

I am for an artist who vanishes, turning up in a white cap painting signs or hallways.

I am for art that comes out of a chimney like black hair and scatters in the sky.

I am for art that spills out of an old mans purse when he is bounced off a passing fender.

I am for the art out of a doggys mouth, falling five stories from the roof.

I am for the art that a kid licks, after peeling away the wrapper.




Song Musicians

Manifesto is on the following Roxy Music and Solo Albums